10. July 2026 | First Team to overview >
Patrick Enengl Ahead of the Historic Clash with Queens Park Rangers: "We Want to Show What We Stand For"
Saturday's friendly against Queens Park Rangers is set to be the highlight of First Vienna FC's pre-season campaign. Two weeks before their competitive opener in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup away to Mattersburg, Austria's oldest football club welcomes the historic English side to the Hohe Warte Stadium.
In this interview, head coach Patrick Enengl reflects on his first weeks in charge, the team's development, the upcoming test against QPR, and his excitement ahead of his home debut in front of the Vienna supporters.
Four weeks of pre-season are now behind the team. How would you sum up the training camp, the four friendly matches, and your first few weeks as Vienna head coach?
- "Naturally, the changes we've introduced have brought new demands for the players. But I'm very pleased with how the squad has embraced them. The team has been fully committed, working hard every day, and they're implementing our ideas better and better. You can really see us growing together as a team from week to week."
Queens Park Rangers are undoubtedly the biggest-name opponent of the pre-season and arrive just two weeks before your first competitive match. What kind of challenge do you expect from the English Championship side?
- "QPR have a lot of individual quality and are extremely strong physically. It's a level you don't come up against every day in Austrian football. These are exactly the kinds of opponents we want during pre-season because they challenge us and show us where we stand. We're looking forward to this test and to what should be a fantastic atmosphere at Hohe Warte."
Hohe Warte provides a very special setting for matches like this. How excited are you about making your home debut as Vienna head coach in such a historic international fixture?
- "I'm really looking forward to it. I've already coached at Hohe Warte as an opposing manager, so I know what a special atmosphere this stadium has. Standing on the touchline for the first time as Vienna head coach will be something very special. Of course, our first competitive home match against Sturm II will be another unique occasion, but I'm excited to experience the special Vienna atmosphere together with our supporters for the first time on Saturday."
With the season opener only two weeks away, is the focus against QPR still on refining your processes, or do you already expect the team to demonstrate how close they are to your playing philosophy?
- "Our main objective is to play our own football. We know all about QPR's quality, but we don't want to change our approach or adapt our style because of the opposition. It's important that we continue to follow our path consistently and implement our playing philosophy, even against a strong opponent."
From your perspective, how far along is the team—both tactically and physically—ahead of the start of the competitive season?
- "The team is making excellent progress every week. I feel we're becoming more mature with every training session and every match. The game against GAK helped us move forward, and I'm sure the QPR match will do the same. We're now focusing more and more on the finer details, and the players are developing an increasingly clear understanding of how we want to play successful football together."
For many supporters, this is one of the highlights of the summer. What are your hopes for the atmosphere at Hohe Warte on Saturday?
- "I hope we can count on a fantastic crowd and that many Vienna supporters will come to Hohe Warte. Our fans give us exactly the backing we need—not just on Saturday, but throughout the entire season. First Vienna FC has always thrived on the incredible support of its fans. The connection between the team and our supporters is one of our greatest strengths and gives us extra energy whenever we play at home. I hope they'll be right behind us on Saturday, creating plenty of noise. We'll do everything we can to repay that support with a committed performance on the pitch. Together, we want to create something special."
